Guidelines
Comment/Critique Guidelines
These are basic guidelines for everyone to follow on Beyond the Wedding. Please read these through.
#1: To Sum these rules up – basically, use some tact. We’re about helping each other out here.
#2: This site is about building a helpful community – especially when it comes to photography critique. So, in the appropriate posts, please offer constructive critiques (the idea is to help said photographer become a better photographer) – if you can, use the audio comment system. With that said, please do not offer advice on what you would do if you cannot actually accomplish said effect yourself.
#3: Say WHY you like a photograph and WHY you do not like a photograph in your critique. If you are critiquing an image, don’t just say “love it” or “eh, not so great” (examples). This is the very thing we’re trying to avoid. Instead, try saying “I really like this photograph due to x, y, and z” (and please elaborate so that it is 100% clear). Likewise, if you do not like a photograph, please try saying something like “I’m not a fan – this photograph could use improvement at x, y, z by doing this and that to accomplish it” (again, elaborate so that it is 100% clear). You will like some photographs and you won’t others – we all know this. We (as photographers) are not asking for critiques simply to get praise – we want to improve.
#4: No personal accusations of any kind. Period. Calling anyone anything in a negative manner will result in immediate removal or suspension from Beyond the Wedding (depending on the degree of the offense) – whether they are an active member of Beyond The Wedding or not. Personal attacks are simply not tolerated. Period. Use some tact. … so, some examples to be perfectly clear here:
“Such and such is a ——” – this is a personal attack – could also read “You are a ——-”
“I do not care for such and such’s photography” – not a personal attack
Note: we will make the call on what is and is not a personal attack. We hold all rights to ban anyone if they violate this rule.
#5: No spamming. Do not make multiple posts of the same comment. If you accidentally do, just delete the duplicates – no biggey. Just trying to keep the site clean of spam.
#6: No personal promotion. Example: Ok, so, lets say you just came out with an awesome product for photographers. We’re totally thrilled for you to share it with everyone on the site. However, please do so in a tactful way once. This forum is not an open area to promote your products, workshops, etc. We totally understand being excited about a new product, workshop, etc. and wanting to share it with the online community. 100% get it. That said, please talk about it or comment about it only once (if at all).
#7: If you have a question, ask away via the comment field. Likewise, feel free to answer by using the comment field. Though, please keep the questions specific to the photograph or technique at hand. Remember this is first and foremost a critique of the photograph at hand.
#8: Act Professionally. We want you to be yourself, but, still, be sure to remain on the professional side . . . just remember that we are a group of professionals. (No cat fights please)
#9: Everyone is an Equal. Photographically & skill-wise, there are large differences. However, everyone has the right to express their opinion – whatever it may be and however valid it may be (as long as it isn’t a personal attack).
#10: Have fun, share, learn, express, enjoy, improve.
